My husband and I are planning on taking the overnight train from Hong Kong to Shanghai this July. I know that there are three kinds of accomodations: hard sleeper, soft sleeper and the deluxe soft sleeper. Does anyone have any recommendations as which level accomodation we should use? For example, is the deluxe soft sleeper worth the money or is the soft or hard sleeper just fine? Any other recommendations or suggestions for the train ride would also be appreciated.

The hard sleeper consists of couchettes in groups of six, three to a stack, and largely open to the corridor. The standard is a little more luxurious than that on most ordinary domestic routes.<BR><BR>The soft sleeper accommodation consists of four softer beds in a lockable compartment, in two stacks of two. You have more control over your environment, and buying one upper and one lower berth is usually the best arrangement. You can then sit on the lower one during the day, but the upper is available should either party consider a nap.<BR><BR>The deluxe is similar, but there are merely two beds, both at floor level, and you have the entire compartment to yourself.<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html

topping up for Li

Li,<BR><BR>I did not end up taking the train, although we really wanted to, because when I went to buy my tickets all of the soft deluxe were already taken and all of the bottom bunks in the soft class were also taken, so plan ahead. I tried to buy tickets about a week ahead. I cannot remember the exact cost, but the hard berth would be quite less expensive than flying. The soft deluxe is a little less expensive than flying and the soft berth is about 25% less than the soft deluxe. I was wary about travelling for 24 hours in the hard berth, but then saw them...there are six beds to each room but the rooms do not actually have doors, they are open to the corridor that runs down the side of the train, I believe that each train car shares a bathroom. You are provided with sheets, blankets and a pillow, they looked clean enough from a distance, could not say for sure however. As Peter stated, you would want to make sure that you get a bottom bunch. The top bunch is actually above the window line and would be quite cramped. I you were able to get a bottom bunk, I think it would be fine.

elo alison,<BR><BR>Thanks for the great advice!

Actually what I recommended was that in SOFT class, for a couple, one upper and one lower is obtained. For a person by themselves in both classes I would recommend an upper berth because you have far more control over your environment, can take a nap when you want, and can climb away from inquisition by your neighbours and passers-by. Have the bottom bunk and everyone uses it to sit on and chat during the day, those climbing to the upper bunks often tread on you as if you didn't exist, you are more exposed to pilferage, and you have almost no control over your environment, especially in hard class.<BR><BR>Peter N-H<BR>http://members.axion.net/~pnh/China.html